First

After years of contemplating, and talking myself out of it all, I officially embarked on this journey in the fall of 2014.

Cliché coming: it was not easy. The process was hell and humbling.

I gave up everything in order to get here.

Everything includes: selling my home, selling my car, donating tons and tons of household and personal items, resigning from my job of eight years-just two years shy of tenure, a relationship, friendships*, the opportunity to witness my brand new nieces grow into toddlers, and a small piece of sanity. Just thought I'd clarify that.

I did not get hired in the country of my choosing; more on that later.

I did not choose the school I will be working at; see above caveat.

I have doubts about my ability to serve the demographic I will work with.

I have doubts about my ability to adapt in spite of having traveled to 20 countries, and 38 of the 50 locales in the United States.

I'm sure I could think of other slightly pessimistic things to type; suffice it to say that this is the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken in my entire life.

What's left of my life, in suitcases.

Sharing is therapeutic; therefore, I will not sugarcoat the journey. I will share the positive and the negative with hopes that someone might be encouraged by it all- either to take a leap of faith and/or know they're not alone.

There are several people like me that are out there sharing their experiences in the blogosphere; I was very apprehensive to blog in the first place (because, ADD). But the more I talked to people and the more I blabbed at length on my Instagram account about my travels (jaja) the more I figured it may do some good to just go ahead and blog about it.

So, here we go. Feel free to leave feedback so I know I'm not talking to myself :-)

You are not along, sis! As a matter of fact, I feel like I'm reading words from my own life (in the same voice/tone :-)....including the "living life", God pushing/dragging/showing me who I am by having me face myself and fears and desiring to teach in Dubai portions.

This is wild...

I'm so glad to be able to follow your journey. I am preparing to apply for positions so thanks for providing me with the "sobering" perspective I've been searching for.